♡ Alpharune ♡

The beginning

The world is so fragile. Balance brings harmony, and a lack thereof only brings chaos and despair.
The light and the dark.

The legends sing of the legendary heroes, those who shall bring peace to all the dark and light worlds. The delta warriors.

But there are some stories time forgets. Abandoned cold and alone.

The dark fountain is a mysterious thing. Projecting images of what can come, and what may never happen. It is where Ralsei had learned of the prophecy, his fate. Waiting alone in his dark castle, waiting for heroes who may never arrive. Quietly writing notes, thoughts on what he saw.

Heroes alongside him, battling to protect the light world. Similarly, however, he saw himself working to protect the dark. Neither route to balance mattered more than the other, he supposed. In the end, all that matters is that the world is safe.

And when the heroes arrived, the other possibility had been ruled out. This is his fate. The lightners have come.

But the fountain knows best. The world isn't safe yet. And the balance can shift on a dime...

...

"Its nice to spend time with you again." Noelle mumbled, a quiet smile on her face as she looked up at the autumn sun. "Its been....a while since we've hung out like this."

Kris gave a small but silent nod, staring down at the ground. At their hands. Are they in control? Its hard to tell nowadays. The line between themselves and the fake are so blurred, their mind corrupted by the other's wishes.

"And, I mean, its not like I haven't wanted to! But you've been so sad since Asriel left, and...."
She trailed off, realising Kris' darkening expression meant she shouldn't have brought up Asriel's departure.

Its fine. They should be over it by now, anyway.
But....thats the thing. There's no time limit on adjusting to change. Its a slow, painful process and you can't be sure you're at the end until you look back in retrospect. They just felt so stupid. Ridiculous. Noelle is coping with so much right now, and they're hung up over their big brother leaving for college?

It was hard, though. He did so much for them. Hell, he was the only one making sure they went to school, making sure they ate every day, taking them out about town. The only one actually caring for them.
Sure, their parents are both fine, but they aren't really good parents. Not anymore.

"Kris, I'm sorry-"

"Its fine." Kris interrupted, not even noticing the words pass their lips. "Really."

But Noelle didn't believe it. She's known Kris for too long to believe that sort of lie.
"Why don't you call him?"

Maybe they should call him. Say hi. But then what? 'I miss you'? 'I'm a hero now'?? 'There's an invisible person controlling me'??? Regardless of what they say, they'll just be taking up his time with useless nonsense. He has exams. He's studying. He's busy. He doesn't care.

"I don't think I can."
It was as honest of an answer as they could give.

The pair sat in silence for a while. Awkward, occasionally glancing at the other to see who would be the first to restart the conversation.

It was Kris. "So. Susie."

"Huh?! What about her? I mean, it was nice that she came to study with us, but...oh, I can't believe I fell asleep before she came."
Noelle immediately sped off on the new topic, her thoughts running faster than a bullet train. Kris knew that even thinking of Susie would distract Noelle from the subject, allowing them to collect their thoughts in peace.

Maybe they should send a text to Asriel. Let him know they're okay. He'd probably appreciate it, after all, he's the sentimental type.

So, while Noelle rambled on, they quietly pulled out their phone. Typing up a short message.

'Hey, how's college?'

'Good, thanks! I miss you ♡'

Asriel smiled quietly to himself as he read over the message. It was honestly a little unexpected for Kris to be messaging him, but...it was nice.

He stood up from his desk, stepping over the piles of laundry on his floor, and headed over to the shared living area. He used to share with a couple people, but the others all moved out. Now its just him and Chara.
The others didn't like being around a human. Bigots. Still, its not as though Asriel didn't have practice.

He checked the calendar on the wall. Just a few more days until he goes home to visit. Its nice, knowing home is so close-by, and yet...

It felt so very far away.

A small sigh escaped him as he left the calendar on the wall. Heading back to his own small room, he loaded up his school work onto his computer. But its just so much to do, and his thoughts feel all scrambled, so he tore his eyes away again. There has to be something better to do here...

Maybe his flower needs watering.

He grabbed a bottle of stale water from the edge of the desk, and poured a little into the soil of his beautiful golden flower.
"There you go, little friend..."

"Are you talking to your plant again?"
Chara's voice startled him, making him spill water onto his windowsill

"Don't....scare me like that." He sighed, putting the bottle down.

"I'm just saying. You only do this when you're unhappy."

Asriel huffed a little, looking away. "When did you become the expert on my feelings? I'm fine. Just kinda stressed."

"I became the expert when you got drunk and refused to stop crying on me. You're such a lightweight too, its embarrassing." they came into his room, sitting down on his bed.

"If you're just here to mock me, then-"

"No, I just wanted to say. I know you're anxious about going back home. And I have nothing planned for the next week. So if you require company, I can be there for you."

Is Chara....offering to help? There's gotta be a catch here. No way they're doing this out of the kindness of their heart...
Still. It would be nice to have someone with him on the long drive home.

"Only if you're sure. I mean, I know you aren't the biggest fan of other humans, and Kris-"

"I'll be fine. Its you I'm concerned about."
Why are they worried for him? He's fine. Sure, a little emotionally vulnerable, but
What's the worst that can happen?

Its just a visit home, after all.

"Okay, then. It'll be nice to have you there."
Asriel smiled, and Chara just...nodded back. Okay...? It was a little strange, but he appreciates their friendship. At least he isn't alone.

Guess its settled, then, they'll be headed back to hometown together. It'll certainly be less lonely of a journey.

And hey, maybe it could even be fun.